“Lateran Patriarchate” will open to visitors

Olga Sakun – Vatican City

Promulgated Pope Francis’ message to Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Vicar of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome and Archpriest of the Lateran Basilica of St. John. Pope Francis informs him of his decision to designate the buildings adjacent to the main basilica of the Catholic world for cultural and museum purposes.

“I instruct you, my vicar for the Roman Diocese, to implement in the complex, which for centuries was known as the Lateran Patriarchate, museum and cultural activities of various types and contents, making the necessary arrangements for this purpose and relying on the noble artistic traditions of which the Catholic Church is proud “, – writes the Holy Father, quoting the 16th article of the Lateran agreements.

Referring to the Vatican City Administration Act, Pope Francis recalls that the cardinal will be assisted in this mission by the governing bodies and executive bodies of the Vatican City Governorate, in accordance with the rules in force for the extraterritorial zones.

The Pope explains that the purpose of this order is to “preserve and make available to visitors and scholars” the artistic heritage of the Lateran Palace, entrusted to the Bishop of Rome.

The Lateran Cathedral, adjacent to the palace of the same name, is the cathedral of the Roman Diocese. For centuries, the Lateran Palace was the official residence of the popes. It currently houses the Historical Museum of the Papal State, the offices of the Roman Vicariate and the residence of His Holiness’s Cardinal Vicar.